01 Oct 2018

Coffee connecting communities

The Southern Cross newspaper – October 2018

A simple cup of coffee is proving to be a powerful tool in bringing together members of the Emmaus parish and one of the local school communities.

When members of the Diocesan Visitation Team spent a ‘long day’ in the parish in August they were delighted to be welcomed with a delicious cup of coffee and to hear about the success of the Coffee Connect project.

01 Oct 2018

The Southern Cross

The Southern Cross newspaper – October 2018

Students from Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish School are improving their reading skills and forming strong connections with members of the older generation through a program in which they make regular visits to the nearby Southern Cross Care home.

Members of the Diocesan Visitation Team joined the Year 4/5 students at one of their recent visits and were delighted to see the young and not so young spending time together. Two of the books they read to the residents were All I want for Christmas is rain and Grandpa’s big adventure, as well as other stories about drought. After reading the students potted either barley, wheat or peas as a gift for the residents.

01 Jul 2018

Hallett Cove parish showcases spiritual vitality and outreach

The Southern Cross newspaper – July 2018

Hallett Cove parishioners shared examples of their spiritual vitality, outreach to the community and ongoing renewal plans when they met with members of the diocesan leadership team last month.

As part of the parish pastoral visitation, Administrator Delegate Fr Philip Marshall, Chancellor Heather Carey, Ministry and Project Officer Teresa Lynch and Catholic Communities manager Jill Gallio met with members of the parish community to hear their stories. They were accompanied throughout the visit by parish priests Mgr Ian Dempsey and Fr Peter Sheedy, together with Deacon Tim Grauel.

01 Mar 2018

Lively community affirmed at Plympton parish

The Southern Cross newspaper – March 2018

Meeting OWLS (Older Wiser Livelier Souls), attending an international dinner, witnessing hospital ministry and celebrating the Eucharist with school students and parishioners were some of the highlights of the Archbishop’s visit to Plympton parish last month. The week-long parish visitation began with the Vicar General Father Philip Marshall speaking at all Masses at St John the Baptist Church. During the week, Years 3 and 4 students from St John the Baptist School participated in a combined school/parish Mass celebrated by Archbishop Wilson, who then joined the OWLS for their weekly Scriptures reflection.

16 Dec 2017

Nurturing faith journey with 'Godly Play'

The Southern Cross newspaper – December 2017

Developed by Acting APRIM Kelly Spencer, ‘Godly Play’ is a way of “building faith, community and friendship”.

Pre-schoolers and their parents are invited to join together every Monday before school pick-up, with the 15-minute session focusing on a particular message from the Bible. After a prayer and song, the children work on a craft activity which reinforces what they have learned.

01 Nov 2017

Josephite spirit thrives on Yorke Peninsula

The Southern Cross newspaper – November 2017

The small farming community at Yorketown gathered to celebrate the 60th anniversary of St Columba’s Memorial School in late September, coinciding with the parish visitation by Archbishop Philip Wilson.

Located near the foot of the Yorke Peninsula, St Columba’s was established by the Josephites in 1957 to provide a Catholic education to children in the surrounding areas. Today the school is thriving, with enrolments increasing. This year there are 79 students in four classes from Reception to Year 7.

01 Nov 2017

Bright future for Brighton parish

The Southern Cross newspaper – November 2017

Challenges faced by the Brighton parish over the past few decades have only served to strengthen the community, members of the episcopal visitation team were told last month.

Referring to the closure of St Paul’s and Christ the King churches, parishioner Judy Fernandez said maybe it had been “God’s plan” to bring the three communities together at St Joseph’s Church because He knew there were tough times ahead.

01 Oct 2017

Aberfoyle Park youth'acive8' renewal

The Southern Cross newspaper – October 2017

A youth group at Aberfoyle Park has put forward ideas to ‘activ8’ their faith and parish.

Coinciding with the episcopal visitation to Aberfoyle Park parish in late August, youth participating in the quarterly Care Factor event decided to put forward some ideas for actioning the eight Gospel characteristics of a renewing parish.

01 Aug 2017

Parishes and schools connecting

The Southern Cross newspaper – August 2017

Inspiring stories of pastoral care, love and devotion to those suffering adversity have been just one of the many highlights to emerge from the school/parish visitation program currently underway in the Archdiocese. For the past four months Jill Gallio and Deacon Tim Grauel from the Office for Renewing Parishes have been visiting Catholic schools to outline the Archdiocese’s renewal initiative and promote discussion regarding the values that contribute to a healthy, vibrant and renewing school/parish partnership.

03 Jul 2017

Renewal in the palm of your hand

The Southern Cross newspaper – July 2017

From the South East to the Murray Mallee, Yorke Peninsula to metropolitan suburbs… parishioners throughout the Adelaide Archdiocese are embracing technology to share their resources.

Since the Find a Mass App was launched last year it has proved a popular way for parishes to inform their communities about local news and events, while also being a source of information for Mass times in South Australian churches.

06 Jun 2017

United in faith

The Southern Cross newspaper – June 2017

The most comprehensive parish visitation program undertaken in recent times by the Adelaide Archdiocese kicked off last month with a series of discussions, gatherings and pastoral visits in Mt Barker, Strathalbyn and Macclesfield.

05 Jun 2017

Archbishop Philip Wilson's message

The Southern Cross newspaper – June 2017

An important part of a bishop’s life is visitation of the parishes that belong to his diocese. Since the renewal team came together under the guidance of Father Philip Marshall, I have been able to look at how the parish pastoral visitation program can be integrated into the desire that we all have, that is, to work together to be better disciples of the Lord.

01 May 2017

Strengthening the bond between schools and parish

The Southern Cross newspaper – May 2017

Members of the Office for Renewing Parishes have embarked on a program to visit more than 90 Catholic schools over the next eight months to further the existing relationship between schools and parishes.

11 Dec 2016

Hopes and dreams of a Catholic dad

The Southern Cross newspaper – December 2016

As an educator, Neil McGoran is passionate about providing young people with hope, choices and an understanding of the importance of doing something for someone else.

“Ultimately, that’s what education is all about – if we can do that, we end up with a far more just society,” said Dr McGoran, a former Catholic school principal and current chief executive of the SACE Board.

The Southern Cross newspaper – November 2016

01 Oct 2016

'Tremendous' response to renewal markers: VG

The Southern Cross newspaper – October 2016

This month’s Diocesan Spring Gathering will be an opportunity for parishes, schools and communities to express their “common commitment” to the renewal process and to bringing new life to the Church and world, according to Adelaide Vicar General Father Philip Marshall.

Fr Marshall (picutred), who is a member of the Renewal Taskforce, added the October 29 event would be a way of celebrating the achievements and progress over the past two years since Father David Couturier OFM Cap undertook a review and made a number of recommendations regarding the renewal of the diocese.

01 Sep 2016

Focus on parishes at renewal event

The Southern Cross newspaper – September 2016

The important role the parish must play in the ‘renewal’ process will be one of the key messages at the Diocesan Spring Gathering being held next month.
Director of the Office for Renewing Parishes Deacon Tim Grauel said during the gathering some time would be spent focusing on Pope Francis’ words that in today’s world “the parish is not an outdated institution” only if the parish was "capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, so that it continues to be the “Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters” (Evangelii Gaudium, para 28).

Deacon Grauel added that the gathering day – the first to be held by the Archdicoese in more than 30 years – would also be an opportunity for parishes to share resources and ideas as well as network with each other on their efforts to date regarding renewal.

01 Aug 2016

Gathering day to focus on renewal

The Southern Cross newspaper – August 2016

The Adelaide Archdiocese will hold its first gathering day in more than 30 years when it brings together members of all its parishes and communities to discuss and share their experiences of the ‘renewal’ process.

It was back in late 1985 when the last gathering day was held and director of the Office for Renewing Parishes, Deacon Tim Grauel said the decision to hold the October 29 event showed the “strong support and commitment” of the Archdiocese for the ongoing renewal of the Church.

01 May 2016

Renewal document energises parishes

The Southern Cross newspaper – May 2016

Parish pastoral councils are being “enlivened and energised” by the Renewing Parishes program, according to one parish priest.

Fr Charles Gauci (pictured), who is responsible for Victor Harbor, Willunga, Noarlunga and Kangaroo Island parishes, said each council had been responding to recent Renewal Taskforce visits and the sharing of a document outlining eight characteristics of a healthy, vibrant and renewing parish.

01 Dec 2015

Involving young families in the Mass

The Southern Cross newspaper – December 2015

Every Sunday nine-year-old Samuel Morley nags his mum and dad to take him to Mass.

Samuel is in charge of the PowerPoint presentation at St Matthew Church, Birdwood, and is adamant that he is the only person in the congregation who can do the job properly.

“We’re working on his humility,” said his mum Pamela Morley at a forum on young families at the Croydon Park Catholic parish hall last month. “But if you want your children to nag you about going to Mass, give them a job.”

01 Nov 2015

Happy kids, happy mums

The Southern Cross newspaper – November 2015

Every second Tuesday morning at St Luke’s Church Noarlunga, a group of young families gather for Mass and a chat over a cup of coffee.
Called Tuesday Chats, the program attracts varying numbers – from half a dozen mums and children to up to 20 families.

01 Sep 2015

Laity forum

The Southern Cross newspaper – September 2015

Julie Trinidad, lecturer in Catholic Studies at the University of South Australia will outline the Second Vatican Council’s vision for lay leadership at the third series of Forums in Learning and Dialogue, to be held on Thursday September 10.

One of the key directions set by the Council (1962-1965) was its commitment to the leadership of lay people within the spheres of both Church and society. Ms Trinidad will point out how there is still work to be done on its implementation.

01 May 2015

Seeking a new model of proclaiming the Gospel

The Southern Cross newspaper – May 2015

By Jenny Brinkworth

Understanding cultural change is central to grasping what’s happening to faith and the Church today, Adelaide theologian Fr James McEvoy told participants at the first of a series of New Directions forums last month.

The Forums for Learning and Dialogue follow the visit to Adelaide last year of Fr David Couturier OFM Cap, and tackle some of the challenges facing parishes.